Meet Samsung’s new Chromebox, same as the old Chromebox (Updated)

The diminutive desktop PC is different on the outside, identical on the inside.

Samsung's new Chromebox puts a sleek new shell over the same guts as last year's model.

Samsung has long been one of the staunchest supporters of Google's cloud-focused Chrome OS. Last year, they released two Chromebooks, one of which uses an ARM processor and sells for just $249, and a Chromebox, the first official desktop computer based on Chrome OS. Now, Chrome Story has uncovered the spec sheet for a revised version of the Chromebox. It uses the same 1.9GHz Sandy Bridge-based Intel Celeron, integrated graphics, 802.11n wireless, 16GB SSD, and 4GB of RAM as last year's model, but comes in a redesigned all-white body that does away with the boxy silver-and-black version introduced back in May.

The new Series 3 Chromebox also sports the same array of ports as last year's model: on the rear there are four USB 2.0, a gigabit Ethernet port, a DVI port, two DisplayPorts, and a Kensington lock slot. A small cover on the front of the computer hides two additional USB 2.0 ports and a microphone jack—these are present on the older Chromebox but left exposed. Recent Chrome OS betas have begun to improve the operating system's multi-monitor support, which should finally make all of those display outputs a bit more useful.

The static specs really won't hurt the Chromebox much—the point of Chrome OS is that it doesn't need much speed to be usable. The more crucial spec is one we don't know yet: price. Recent Chromebooks piqued interest because of how cheap they've been, at just $199 and $249. However, the current Samsung Chromebox still sells for $329. We're hoping this new Chromebox will undercut that price—we've contacted Google for comment will update the article if they have any new information for us about pricing or United States availability.

Update: Google has said that there are no planned price cuts to go with the revised Chromebox, and that US availability is still TBD.

However, the current Samsung Chromebox still sells for $329. We're hoping this new Chromebox will undercut that price—we've contacted Google for comment ...

(emphasis mine)

Google drives pricing for this, not Samsung? Does that make it something like the Galaxy Nexus (or Nexus 7/10) of Chrome OS devices? I've not followed Chrome OS at all, but this looks like it could be interesting, at the right price point. Guess I should do some research.

Why in the world don't they drop Android in there? Too touch-oriented?

However, the current Samsung Chromebox still sells for $329. We're hoping this new Chromebox will undercut that price—we've contacted Google for comment ...

(emphasis mine)

Google drives pricing for this, not Samsung? Does that make it something like the Galaxy Nexus (or Nexus 7/10) of Chrome OS devices? I've not followed Chrome OS at all, but this looks like it could be interesting, at the right price point. Guess I should do some research.

Info on these launches usually comes to us from Google first (and we get Chrome OS review hardware from them rather than the OEM, as well), and their PR people have proven to be more responsive generally speaking. At this point I don't expect specific details from anyone, though - if they were ready to comment on pricing and availability it'd probably be listed on the Samsung site already (and we'd have gotten a PR blast from Google rather than finding it on a product page).

I don't see these devices going very far. I think they will end up like netbooks when they first came out. A lot of interest because of price. But then a lot of people finding out why that price is so low. I think if you are truly open minded and not tied down to a iTunes or other software that must run on a Mac or PC. I think the Chromebook's can be enough to satisfy a small percentage of users. Or better yet a second or third device. I myself seriously considered a Chromebook. I am not on the tablet wagon and I still find a real keyboard a requirement. I thought of a Windows 8 RT tablet but at the price I had to say no.Chromebook's might have some staying power but I think its a reach right now to say they will replace traditional OS like Apple's OS X or Windows.

I don't see these devices going very far. I think they will end up like netbooks when they first came out. A lot of interest because of price. But then a lot of people finding out why that price is so low.

The netbook failed because microsoft used their normal techniques to force Windows on to them. It didn't fit, so the specs had to be pushed up until it was too expensive.Is the manufacturers had kept giving us what we wanted - low powered linux notebooks - they would still be selling well.

I know I'm still not interested, and I'm sure that a lot of Ars readers aren't either...but suffice it to say that the Chromebox at least makes more sense than the Chromebook. What with having internet access for a desktop generally not being something to worry about.

I see moreof a future in Android based micro PC's like a Rikomagic for $50 rather than a chrome based system that's almost the cost of a laptop. Deploying these tiny beauties em masse using Google Apps is a compelling proposition under the right circumstances.

For what they charge for the underpowered ChromeBox (underpowered because a chrome OS device really should be able to at least play 1080p youtube content without stuttering, which this box apparently can't do) just get a Zotac Zbox nano that's smaller and about the same price.

I don't see these devices going very far. I think they will end up like netbooks when they first came out. A lot of interest because of price. But then a lot of people finding out why that price is so low.

The netbook failed because microsoft used their normal techniques to force Windows on to them. It didn't fit, so the specs had to be pushed up until it was too expensive.Is the manufacturers had kept giving us what we wanted - low powered linux notebooks - they would still be selling well.

The new Intel Atom will change all this real soon. You will be running W8 Pro near this price point with full functionality. I am not talking about the pretty much useless and closed Arm based RT that doesn't really seem to have a place in the world other than browsing the Internet and checking email. Linux will be delegated to the same small market share that it presently occupies, IMO.

Summary, the x86 Intel hardware has caught up to the low end of the market with full functionality and power issues. Android is a viable open system and catching fire but can it scale up with all it's fragmentation?

Can Google unite Android and Chrome? It should probably be a goal. MS might be a lot further along. I see it as only a matter of time before MS unites everything to a basic OS. The low end hardware (phone) has pretty much become fully capable to run what used to be a multitasking windowed desktop OS.

The Holy Grail, one OS that installs itself on a phone and provides full phone functionality, the same OS that installs itself on a tablet and provides full tablet functionality, the same OS that installs itself on a console and provides full console functionality, and the same OS that installs itself on a desktop and provides full desktop functionality! All of them with compatible apps/programs that pretty much port between them with a common development environment that may just require a recompile for the targeted platform. Add to that, the ability to run legacy software on each respective platform, then you got a killer OS! In other words, Run all old software on the new desktop, run all old Xbox games on the new Xbox, run all old phone apps on the new phones, and run all old tablet apps on new tablets?

Yeah, I'm thinking Samsung Chromebook - screen + a couple USB ports = $150-199 and sells like hotcakes. At $250 the laptop version was the #1 seller on Amazon and has 4 star feedback so there's no "but it doesn't run Windows" backlash this time (not that I'm convinced there was that much with netbooks and low cost linux machines). Frankly the Chromebook is the internet appliance done right, a great compromise between a fully featured desktop machine and a 99% consumption tablet (I like both form factors and own several of each but I can see a place for the Chromebook as well).

I am still failing to see the point of Chrome OS. And the Cheomebox makes even less sense, being more expensive than a Chromebook and also lacking a screen.

I write this on every chromebook post, so clearly, you're not going to stick around for the answer.

But for the same money as a terrible netbook, you can get a fast, responsive machine with the most secure and maintenance free consumer OS in the world. For the vast majority of pc users, they'd be better off with a chromebox or chromebook (no the hdd-based one).

I am still failing to see the point of Chrome OS. And the Cheomebox makes even less sense, being more expensive than a Chromebook and also lacking a screen.

I write this on every chromebook post, so clearly, you're not going to stick around for the answer.

But for the same money as a terrible netbook, you can get a fast, responsive machine with the most secure and maintenance free consumer OS in the world. For the vast majority of pc users, they'd be better off with a chromebox or chromebook (no the hdd-based one).

But I could play old PC games, even WoW, on my netbook I purchased in Sept 2009 (Came with XP). Flash games on facebook and such were to much for it to handle.Put 2 Gb RAM in there and that bugger could surprise you. Primarily got it to take to college courses. Good size. Pair it with a compact mouse and you are set.

I guess Chrombook has the Chrom store and some games...but can't play the large library that comes from GOG.com.

I don't expect this to run Crysis, but I do expect ChromeOS to support a real terminal emulator with a local shell along the lines of busybox (although Google would probably prefer to avoid the GPL) and some kind of package manager with a repository of terminal packages like vim, python, and virtualenv. ChromeOS needs to be a relevant platform for sysadmins, devops, and other such IT professionals. It should be suitable for the basic workflow of a web developer using Rails or Django or whatnot.

... For the vast majority of pc users, they'd be better off with a chromebox or chromebook (no the hdd-based one).

True, but they don't want it, because it doesn't run Windows.You could sit them in front of a TV that continuously plays a video telling them how bad Windows is. At the end of the day they would have heard "Windows" 10,000 times so they would go out and buy another Windows PC.

... For the vast majority of pc users, they'd be better off with a chromebox or chromebook (no the hdd-based one).

True, but they don't want it, because it doesn't run Windows.You could sit them in front of a TV that continuously plays a video telling them how bad Windows is. At the end of the day they would have heard "Windows" 10,000 times so they would go out and buy another Windows PC.

The scenario would be this (speaking from indirect experience with family members):

1.) Windows XP computer becomes finally, unbearably slow due to all the cruft running in the taskbar, registry errors, etc.2.) Go shopping with some vague notions about not wanting a Windows computer anymore because of something a nerdy family member mentioned last Christmas.3.) Go to BB. Talk to sales person about how 'I want a Dell and not a Windows computer'.4.) Oh, Dells ARE Windows computers. What about this Chrome thing? Oh, I can't play Big Game Hunter without what now? What about Apple? Oh, it's how much? I can't play Big Game Hunter on that either? (What the hell is bootcamp?) Is HP Windows? It's how much is this HP ? 5.) Buys HP Windows 8 computer. Plays Big Game Hunter on it for 10 years.

The netbook failed because microsoft used their normal techniques to force Windows on to them. It didn't fit, so the specs had to be pushed up until it was too expensive.Is the manufacturers had kept giving us what we wanted - low powered linux notebooks - they would still be selling well.

Er, who is this "we" that we're speaking of?

I think a bigger part of netbooks failing is that real laptops are readily available at ~$350.

... For the vast majority of pc users, they'd be better off with a chromebox or chromebook (no the hdd-based one).

True, but they don't want it, because it doesn't run Windows.You could sit them in front of a TV that continuously plays a video telling them how bad Windows is. At the end of the day they would have heard "Windows" 10,000 times so they would go out and buy another Windows PC.

The scenario would be this (speaking from indirect experience with family members):

1.) Windows XP computer becomes finally, unbearably slow due to all the cruft running in the taskbar, registry errors, etc.2.) Go shopping with some vague notions about not wanting a Windows computer anymore because of something a nerdy family member mentioned last Christmas.3.) Go to BB. Talk to sales person about how 'I want a Dell and not a Windows computer'.4.) Oh, Dells ARE Windows computers. What about this Chrome thing? Oh, I can't play Big Game Hunter without what now? What about Apple? Oh, it's how much? I can't play Big Game Hunter on that either? (What the hell is bootcamp?) Is HP Windows? It's how much is this HP ? 5.) Buys HP Windows 8 computer. Plays Big Game Hunter on it for 10 years.

...except the user you are describing doesn't play any recognizable studio games on their PC.

Point them to an Android or PhoneOS app store and they would be more than happily distracted with whatever free games are available.

The great thing about mindless consumers that you can lead around by the nose is that you can lead them nearly anywhere. That's why Apple is doing so well. Once you get past the "PC must run DOS" meme, most people really don't need much in a computer.

I am still failing to see the point of Chrome OS. And the Cheomebox makes even less sense, being more expensive than a Chromebook and also lacking a screen.

I write this on every chromebook post, so clearly, you're not going to stick around for the answer.

But for the same money as a terrible netbook, you can get a fast, responsive machine with the most secure and maintenance free consumer OS in the world. For the vast majority of pc users, they'd be better off with a chromebox or chromebook (no the hdd-based one).

Why wouldn't you just buy that netbook, and simply run chrome inside it then? The crappiest netbooks are capable enough of running Chrome (and web apps) just fine.

The second someone needs to open up a word document, they would have been better off with getting that crappy netbook, as opposed to the chromebook.

And it has been a few years since Windows has been secure enough, and maintenance free enough.

But finally, why Chrome OS? Why not a Chrome OS like shell on top of Android?

Andrew Cunningham / Andrew has a B.A. in Classics from Kenyon College and has over five years of experience in IT. His work has appeared on Charge Shot!!! and AnandTech, and he records a weekly book podcast called Overdue.